The HfP chat thread – Wednesday 30th September

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Si says:

30 Sep30 September 05:34

Morning all,

When does the IHG annual accumulated rewards points calculator reset to zero please?

Though credit card spend, I’m getting relatively close to earning Spire Elite but will prob be £3-4k sort by end of December. Doesn’t the counter reset on 31st Dec, or does IHG run their year March-March or something that would be more useful?
- ChrisC says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 06:46
  
  IHG points collection and status year is 1st Jan – 31st December
- Andrew says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 06:49
  
  31 December for everyone. Remember that “bonus point” packages offered at nearly every hotel count towards this so you can book a cheap Holiday Inn Express later in the year and add a few thousand bonus points to the booking for £20/£30 to the booking and you’ll hit the target.
  - Si says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 08:29
    
    Nice tip… that may be enough to push me over the edge.
    
    Thanks
    - ChrisC says:
      
      30 Sep30 September 10:49
      
      Just remember that not all hotels offer this all the time and the offer does vary.
      
      I’ve seen anything from being allowed to buy1k to 5k per night but it does vary even by date.
Wollhouse says:

30 Sep30 September 07:09

Hi, I have the BAPP, I’m just about to hit the 2 year mark to allow applying for a personal gold again, I am also going to apply for a small business gold. 1) just confirming that one doesn’t preclude the other from signup vonuses as one is personal and one is business? 2) can I self-refer? I see how to get a referral link from my bapp home page, but not sure if that’s only valid if the card I refer to is the bapp? I can’t see how to get a link (for referral points for myself as the referrer and new card holder if that’s possible) for a different card? TIA
- genghis says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 07:29
  
  1) for personal gold sign up rule is no Amex of any kind in last two years. you fail this test.
  For Business Gold, it’s an MR earning card in last 6 months. you appear to pass this test.
  2) i wouldn’t for fear of Amex reprisal. if can’t internalise the referral, see what some websites are offering.
  - Wollhouse says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 07:43
    
    bugger, thanks Genghis. For some reason I misremembered the Ba cards as not counting. So, looks like no referral points, but at least some sign up points. And a way to stop mingling my business expenses with personal just because I want points. At least my accountant will be happy! Thanks all
    - Anna says:
      
      30 Sep30 September 08:20
      
      Platinum Amex isn’t affected by other cards if you wanted to go for that instead. The fee can be a drawback though!
      - TGLoyalty says:
        
        30 Sep30 September 12:35
        
        Possible to move to monthly billing on the fee.
        
        Get the business before personal ofcourse.
- Rob says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 07:30
  
  You can go Business to Personal and get both bonuses but not in reverse.
  - Genghis says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 19:59
    
    Not personal as OP holds BAPP and is thereby precluded.
Michael C says:

30 Sep30 September 07:23

It wouldn’t be until December (by when everything will have changed), but can anyone recommend a 100% guaranteed 72-hour fit-to-fly swab-testing company?! We’d be ok with popping up to London.
Our local one now has an asterisked *can’t guarantee return time due to increased demand.
- BS says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 08:28
  
  There is no such thing. Any guarantee would only ever include refunding your swab cost, not the (considerable) consequential cost of not being able to take the flight.
  
  If you want to mitigate, I would take several swabs, on the assumption this would increase the chances of at least one coming back in time.
Freddy says:

30 Sep30 September 08:21

Mentioned it before but now officially released on amex website – amex Amazon business card for small business owners
James. says:

30 Sep30 September 08:25

Has anyone had any experience with an IHG Rewards night at the Intercontinental o2? If I was also IC Ambassador would they upgrade me?
- sneydpotter says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 08:35
  
  They have for me on both occasions I’ve used rewards. To be fair the lounge is pretty poor though so I wouldn’t be too concerned if they didn’t.
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 12:37
    
    breakfast is poor I agree but the rest is OK
    
    Upgraded on award night twice too
- Craig says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 09:05
  
  I’ve emailed to add lounge access in the past, I think the best I’ve managed is £50 for two. If your timings can cover afternoon tea, evening drinks and breakfast then it’s a good deal. I’ve gone straight from the lounge to a concert before taking full advantage of the 2 hours ‘free’ drinks.
Rma says:

30 Sep30 September 08:28

Apologies as I’m sure someone has asked this before but I can’t find the answer. If I book a 2 for 1 Avios booking today, and then I choose to cancel, how does the book with confidence deal work? The voucher has already been extended by six months and will expire in March 2021. Will the BWC scheme extend the voucher again? I assume I will pay the £70 cancellation fee. Help appreciated, thank you.
koroleon says:

30 Sep30 September 08:35

If anyone has both Marriott cards (creation and amex) can you please comment on how many elite nights you were given? Sorry I haven’t followed this in a while.
- Rob says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 08:41
  
  You get both, according to other readers.
  - koroleon says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 08:47
    
    Thank you! Time to apply for the amex then.
- BLT says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 08:46
  
  I got both, 25 in total.
- Harry T says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 11:16
  
  Damn, wish I had the creation one!
  - Pangolin says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 13:15
    
    Likewise. 25 nights gets you halfway to Platinum.
Waddle says:

30 Sep30 September 08:51

Amex launches Amazon Business cards in the UK
https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/84272/amex-rolls-out-amazon-business-cards-in-uk
- KBuffett says:
  
  30 Sep30 September 13:26
  
  I think HFP are under embargo with this.
  - Rob says:
    
    30 Sep30 September 14:37
    
    We are partnering with Amazon to do something on this but it won’t be this week.